Method 305

Measurement of the Emission Potential of Individual Volatile Organic Compounds in Waste


This method is used to determine the emission potential of individual volatile organic compounds in waste samples.  Procedures detailed in EPA Method 25D are used for sample collection and sample purging.  Note that the method is applicable to a vast list of volatile organic compounds.  The analytes searched for in this method will be dependent upon the compounds used in plant processes/operations that are being tested.  The analytes shown below are examples of just a few types of analytes determined using this method.

The sample is collected via a sample tap into a 40mL glass, air tight, Teflon lined vial containing 98%pure polyethylene glycol (PEG).  Approximately 10g of sample is suspended in the PEG which reduces the loss of volatile organics during sample collection.  PEG must be cleaned prior to use and kept in a nitrogen atmosphere.  Once PEG is added to the collection vials, they should be kept in an ice bath until an hour before sample collection as PEG will solidify at room temperatures.  The sample vial should be allowed to warm to room temperature before sampling begins.

At the laboratory, the volatile organics in the sample are purged during heated conditions onto an appropriate sorbent tube by the laboratory.  The sample tube is desorbed and analyzed by GC/FID or HPLC/UV.  A recovery efficiency (RE) must be determined for each target analyte using the same procedures that will be used to desorb and analyze the samples.  The RE for each target compound must be between 70 and 130%.

A correction factor based on the RE is applied to the measured waste concentration for each target compound.  This corrected value represents the emission potential of that target compound from that waste sample.


(EPA 40CFR Part 63 Appendix A)

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Method Data

Hold Times, Preservatives, Preps, Collection, Analytical & Documentation
Holding Time:   None specified in method, however, it is recommended to analyze samples as soon as possible following collection.
Preservatives:   Keep samples at 4°C after sample collection and during shipment to the laboratory. Keep PEG in an ice batch until 1 hour prior to sample collection.
Required Preps:   98% pure polyethylene glycol (PEG)
Collection Method:   Sampling tap, Teflon line and cooled coil transfers the sample into a 40mL glass vial per EPA Method 25D procedures.
Analytical Methodology:   GC/FID or HPLC/UV
Documentation:   305

Analyte List*

Analyte Formula CAS Number Detection Limit
1,4-Dioxane
C4H8O2
123-91-1
100
 ppmw
Tetrachloroethene
C2Cl4
127-18-4
100
 ppmw
Ethylene oxide
C2H4O
75-21-8
100
 ppmw
Trichloroethene
C2HCl3
79-01-6
100
 ppmw

* The analytes and detection limits listed for each method represent the typical detection limits and analytes reported for that particular method. Keep in mind that analyte lists may vary from laboratory to laboratory. Detection limits may also vary from lab to lab and are dependent upon the sample size, matrix, and any interferences that may be present in the sample.